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Literature search
A systematic review is a rigorous process that starts with a comprehensive literature search to identify all studies that answer a specific healthcare question.
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Data appraisal and selection
After conducting a literature search, a team of our researchers with methodological, statistical and clinical expertise selects the studies and appraises the data.
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Quantitative and qualitative analysis
After data appraisal and selection, we perform a reanalysis of the data using such methods as meta-analysis, meta-regression and narrative synthesis in order to produce evidence reports used to inform decision-making.
Overview
The Evidence-Based Practice Research Program at Mayo Clinic conducts research to evaluate and summarize all available evidence on a particular healthcare issue.
Investigators in our program perform comprehensive literature searches and use advanced qualitative and quantitative synthesis methods to conduct systematic reviews, meta-analysis, meta-regression, and meta-narrative synthesis. They also conduct methodology research aimed at improving analytical methods and reducing bias. In addition, they conduct emulated clinical trials derived from data from the electronic health record.
Our program is one of only a few in the U.S. currently designated and funded as an evidence-based practice center (EPC) by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Evidence-based practice centers like ours at Mayo Clinic review all relevant scientific literature on a wide spectrum of clinical and health services topics to produce various types of evidence reports. The evidence reports can be used for informing and developing coverage decisions, quality measures, educational materials and tools, clinical practice guidelines, and research agendas. EPCs also conduct research on the methodology of evidence synthesis.
In healthcare, evidence requires synthesis. This is because a single research study rarely provides all the information needed to make a decision and because studies often provide conflicting findings. A stand-alone study also can be biased or limited by other factors.
Therefore, the goals of evidence synthesis are to:
- Provide the least biased and most precise and applicable results.
- Lead to evidence-based practice and policy decisions.
- Ensure that resources are not wasted pursuing questions that have already been answered.
- Create future research agendas by identifying gaps in knowledge and methodology.
Read more about the research projects conducted by the Evidence-Based Practice Research Program.